Rushden Research Group: Feast

Rushden Feast

Feast 1878 -1884	Feast 1909		Feast 1963	Feast 1983
Feast Date - 1887	Feast 1910	Feast Visit in "Ruzdin" speak, 1925	Feast 1967	Feast 1984
Feast 1898	Feast 1913	Feast 1929	Feast 1969	Feast 1986
	Rhyme by RWN			Feast 2006

Visit Jon Anton's site at www.antons-show.co.uk/heritage

The rifle range - year unknown

Traditionally Rushden Feast comes to town on the Saturday following September 19th annually. Charles Thurston came to a site opposite the Queen Victoria Hotel in the 1920's but later moved into Spencer Park. All the traditional rides were there; the big wheel, waltzer, horses and swings to sit on would race around. Then there were stalls offering shooting or hook a duck to win a prize. Candyfloss and toffee apples to munch as you walked around. Roll a penny and hoop-la. All very exciting to young children and adults alike. Often people would go there every night of the week that the fair stayed here.

Outside the park in the road "The Crockery King" would set up a stall and display baskets of crockery which he'd pick up and tip forward to make you think it was going to spill out, then he'd toss it a little to make the crockery rattle! His shouting would declare the price, "but not a pound, never mind 15 bob, not even 10 bob, who'll give me 7/6?" and the takers would go forward as his assistant started to pack the crockery for transport home.

Rushden Echo, 15th September 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Feast—Mr Charles Thurston, the famous amusement caterer, is to pay us his annual visit for Rushden Feast, and the fun of the fair commences to-morrow (Saturday) at 2.30p.m. The Urban Council have again granted Mr Thurston the use of Spencer Park. A great attraction will be the Scenic Railway, and there will, as usual, be ample provision made by Mr Thurston for pleasure-seekers and frolic-lovers. The Feast will be opened each day at 2.30. The side shows have had to be curtailed through the large number of enlistments, but there will be many attractive features.

If you have any pictures we'd love to copy them please.
Meanwhile here are some pictures taken in 2007.



	Just a few pictures taken in 2007